Do you remember where you were on the morning of September 11, 2001? When you look back on the event and its aftermath, what do you remember most? Has it changed anything in your life? Your family's life? Has it changed the United States?
As we look at the Bush presidency and the events surrounding 9-11 and our subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, let's take a more personal look at where we were and how we felt that terrible morning and the months that followed. We are in this way always "living" history. Tell your own story as you remember it in your first post by answering the questions above (as guides). In your second post, comment on a classmate's blog. Your commentary might be something one of your peer's sparked in you that you desire to share or you might acknowledge a similarity or difference between you. We are looking to explore this topic in a safe and respectful way and with an intention to build a supportive and academically rich community. Sharing yourself thoughtfully is the first step.
Please remember, and I hope it is obvious, you will never be graded for your opinions on this Blog -- you will simply be given "credit" or "no-credit" for your two engaged and thoughtful posts. Please make sure you reply with your name to each post that you submit.
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Looking back on the exact day, I can remember, almost vividly, the details of that morning. I remember hearing my mom on the phone when I woke up to get ready for school that morning. When I had gone to see what the big deal was, my mom was sitting on the couch talking to a friend who had just informed her of the attack in New York. She had her mouth covered, and was in complete shock. As I turned my head to the TV to see what she was so appalled by, I watched as the second airliner was heading directly into the second twin tower. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, it was the most dramatic moment of my life. Later I found out my uncle was on the first plane that crashed into one of the twin towers.
ReplyDeleteAs the chain of phone calls started between parents, mine were told by the school to bring me in that day. As everyone came to school, it was the gloomiest and darkest morning I had ever experienced with another group of people.
Everything changed from that day forth. Literally the next 9 times I had gone to the airport, my brother and I would always be singled out among the rest and searched thoroughly by security (although I don't blame the U.S. for being more cautious of its surroundings).
The U.S. was exposed on September 11th, 2001, even if it was the world's hegemon. The events that took place on that day; whether they were in New York, the Pentagon, or Pennsylvania, scarred America for the rest of time to come. They made the U.S. aware of its vulnerability and ability to be deceived despite its knowledge of the world around us. As a nation, the U.S. needs to nullify the thought processes by which it makes its bad decisions. Since that tragic day eight years ago, America has become less nebulous about its policies towards others and to ourselves, which has made us stronger over the years.
- Noor Fateh, '11
On the morning of September 11th, 2001 I remember waking up in excitement because I finally got to see my dad after a month. He was in Saudi Arabia working on a designing King Fahad's house and I wanted him to see my first two molars that got pulled out. I distinctly recall running into my mom's room and seeing her crying with CNN playing. I got really upset and asked why she was so sad and she said don't worry about it go to school. That morning in 3rd grade half my class was absent and my teacher barely said a word. I was confused with what was going on so I finally got home and my mom was on the phone with my dad. I thought he arrived to the airport so I was really excited until my mom said, "Dad's not coming home for a while, sorry Sade." So of course being the little 3rd grader I cried for a while in my room and my mom explained the whole tragedy and let me watch CNN to the twin towers being knocked over.
ReplyDelete6 months after the tragedy my parents finally told me the most frightening story. My dad was suppose to come on a flight from Jeddah to London to Boston to LAX. As some can recall the flight from Boston to LAX was American Airlines Flight 11, which crashed into one of the twin towers. Luckily, the King told my dad he would take care of his flight from Jeddah straight to NY then my mom booked a United Flight from NY to LAX the night before. My dad got on the plane to LAX and as he was about to takeoff the captain suddenly stopped the plane and told everyone to evacuate immidietly because as he was taking off, the captain was told about the twin tower attack. He was very fortunate because supposedly there was another hijacker on that plane coming to Los Angeles. My dad quickly evcuated and obviously there were no planes from JFK to LAX for almost a month so I didn't see him for two months. He came home for a day and left back to Jeddah, and he came back telling us the job was canceled because the King did not want to work alongside "Americans" anymore after 9/11.
Since my family background is Muslim I've dealt with jokes such as "are you going to put a jihad on me"-It doesn't even make any sense but the United States has stereotyped their views on Muslims and people who look middle eastern and really increased the security and anti-terrorist views.
--Sade Tavangarian '11
Although i did not have a memorable personal experience with 9/11, I understand how impacting it must have been for many people. When the terrorist attacks happened, i was in my 3rd grade classroom in a school in Mexico City. I remember my teacher having sat us down and tried to explain what had happened. None of us really understood, although we were still scared and worried for the people witnessing it. One of my friends in my class turned to me crying, saying her grandfather was in New York, and that she was very scared he had gotten hurt. Although i did not know the man, seeing her so scared and worried is what impacted me the most.
ReplyDeleteLike Sade and Noor, my family and i have a middle eastern background. I come from Syria and Lebanon. My moms last name is Abdala, which was not ever convenient after 9/11. When my family and i moved to the United States, i had an idea that we would be safer and taken care of. We left Mexico because it was unsafe and there was no sense of freedom to live your life. 9/11 reminded me that even in one of the most developed and secure countries in the world, there is always a chance something bad will happen. 9/11 helped me grow as a person my teaching me that fear and safety are different things. If you have fear, you will never live freely no matter where you live, but if you don't let the chance of something terrible to happen get to you, you can live safe in your own self.
I believe that each and every person that saw or heard about the terrorist attacks were affected in a different way. I am sure that every person has a different story to tell, each equally worthy. Although it is a terrible thing that happened, i think that it has brought Americans together in a certain way, even though it has made people very stereotypical and skeptical on certain topics.
-Fredel R
I really want to touch on Fredel's comment when she said that "even in one of the most developed and secure countries in the world, there is always a chance something bad will happen." I believe this is especilly true after 9/11, and thus this shows that being cautious and one of the leading nations in the world doesn't help all that much.
ReplyDeleteTo compensate for the fact that just being the dominant power (hegemony) in the world doesn't warrant why the U.S. can''t be attacked, America as a whole must come together at these times. Well; actually, the U.S. should have come together before 9/11, seeing as that would've helped more with the aftermath of the attack. The problem with the world today is that people only care after something has happened. This is a normal reaction, but "normal" isn't going to separate how nations deal with the consequences of a terrorist attack. Had our nation been one as a whole instead of being without separatists or isolationists who choose not to accumulate with the rest of the nation, the U.S. would have been better off both before and after the tragedy.
This just goes to show how allying ourselves internally is extremely important to dealing with issues and even terrorist attacks among other things.
- Noor Fateh, '11
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.
ReplyDelete~John Dickinson
The most vivid memory of 9/11 that I can recall is waking up in the morning and seeing my dad and mom staring at TV, both standing with shocked faces. I could only look at the replays of the attack with a glazed expression because I didn't understand any of it. I remember hearing the news reporters with their solemn looks and seeing the horrible aftermath. People jumping off the buildings to avoid dying another horrible way, firefighters and police trying to save as many people as they could-it all scared me. I came to school and everyone was talking, but it wasn't loud. It was all hushed.
ReplyDeleteFor the rest of my elementary school years, when the September of 11th came at 9:11 am, our teachers would all stop teaching the required material and put a moment of silence to honor and grieve for the victims that died as a result of 9/11.
Although 9/11 has not made a great impact on my life like some friends of mine that have lost dear relatives, it most definitely has affected the U.S. It made the U.S. realize that we are not all safe, despite being the number one. It has caused the U.S. to make some unwise decisions that have certainly affected our current problems today. There is a wave of fear around us all, and it never fails to leave the new channels or the papers that we read everyday.
I agree with what Sade said about the U.S. stereotyping views on Middle Easterners and people who look like them. There is a big underestimation of how harmful it is to stereotype and how ignorant it can make one look.
ReplyDelete-Stefani F.
On the morning of September 11th 2001, I remember waking up in my family’s old apartment and it being the first or second day of school. My sister and I woke up, showered and did what we did before every school day; before we left my dad mentioned to us that a few planes had crashed. We had just moved in and didn’t have any televisions yet so he didn’t really know the whole story. Neither my sister nor I really thought anything of it until we got to school. After seeing the pictures and hearing what happened at school I was in complete shock. At that age I thought of America as this invincible entity that could not possibly be attacked like this.
ReplyDeleteI believe the attacks really showed the vulnerability of the U.S. and even though we can have all this security and take all these precautions, there is always a chance attacks like these can happen.
0A
And to Noor, I send my deepest condolences, I am very sorry for your loss, may your uncle rest in peace.
Joshua
thank you to everyone for your powerful sharing. I am especially moved by the ways in which we have been personally impacted. It brings a depth to our study and helps me know you more. thank you.
ReplyDeleteOn the morning of September 11th, 2001, I remember waking up and getting ready for school. As I went to go eat breakfast in the kitchen, I saw my Mom tearing up while watching the TV. I went over and asked her why she was upset. She didn't even need to respond. I looked at the screen in disbelief. Seconds later, I watched the second plane crash into the second tower. I remember being very scared because my entire family lives in New York. My parents could not contact anybody in New York for a day or two because the phone lines were jammed. It also frightened me that I had visited the Twin Towers about a month before in August. Despite the fact, I attended school that day. Only half of my class was at school that day, but I didn't understand why they wouldn't be there.
ReplyDeleteSeptember 11th changed the United States dramatically, realizing that even the most dominant power in the world had it weak spots. Americans no longer felt as safe in the US. Therefore, the US had to take extra steps the by creating the Department of Homeland Security, tightening background checks in airports and monitoring immigration. The were measures that had to be taken in order to prevent major terrorist attack on the United States.
Jason G
The first thing that i remember on september 11th is waking up to my mom in disbelief watching the news. I didn't know what was going on or why she wouldn't let me watch with her. All that she told me was that there was an attack in New York City and that a bunch of people died. She didn't think that it was a good idea to let me watch the footage because it was too horrible for me to see being so young. I think she made the right decision because I would have been very scared had she allowed me too watch. At school that day, I learned a lot more about what had happened through our class discussion about the event. Basically all we did that day was talk about the attack. Fortunatly I have no family that was directly affected by the terrorist attacks.
ReplyDeleteSeptember 11th had a powerfull effect on the United states. Before this day it almost seemed that the US was invincible but this horrible event proved that belief wrong. Some of the most obvious effects of the attacks can be seen in heightening of airport security in the US. I remember passing through the airport before 9/11 virtually without being searched an now every person is treated as a threat and searched thouroughly. Even though it can be bothersome, I am glad that we have heightened our airport security and hope that it prevents another attack like this one from happening again.
Drew T
I agree with Fredel that spetember 11th brought together americans to a certain extent. We all live in this country and so we were all affected by the attacks in some way; although some were affected more than others.
ReplyDeleteDrew T
I remember the night of september 10th saying goodbye to my dad seeing as he was leaving early the next morning for a business trip in New York. The next morning when I woke up he was already gone, so I come to the kitchen for breakfast and see my mom watching the news in horror. A plane had just crashed into the 1st tower, then as we were watching the news the second plane hit. They didn't know anything about where the planes had come from or anything. All I remember, is thinking my dad must have been on that plane. We tried calling his cell phone over and over many times throughout the day but calls weren't going through. Thankfully it wasn't his plane that hit but it very well could have been and for years after that I flinched at the thought of him getting on another plane without us.
ReplyDelete9/11 Changed the US in many ways. The biggest thing I think that it did though was show Americans that the US isn't as perfect and invincible as we made ourselves to be. Before 9/11 I believe that Americans had this view of the United States as being perfectly safe, and thought no horrible tradgey could come to us as a country. When those two planes hit we were able to see outside this bubble we created for ourselves as a nation. We saw the hate of other countries towards not only eachother but towards us. I'm happy that it has affected us this way because even though 9/11 was a terrible tradgey there are many ways it could have gone worse and now that we have opened our eyes we are able to better protect ourselves from that ever happening.
Lael P.
I agree with Sade about the stereotyping of Middle Easterners. For exaple ever since 9/11 people automatically feel uncomfortable if your on a plane with someone from the middle east. Or the "not-so-random" security checks at airports, pulling aside people with dark skin that look as if they could be middle eastern, or even if they have different last names.
ReplyDeleteI truly think Joshua makes a very valid point by saying that the attacks really showed the vulnerability of the U.S. Just like there is always a chance for something good to happen, there is also always a chance for something bad to happen. No matter how much security there is, or how many precautions there are, the U.S. realized no one is invincible.
ReplyDeleteAnything can happen.
-Fredel
I agree with Lael agreeing on what Sade said, although i do think it is okay for such precautions to be taken. Even though my family is middle eastern, and sometimes it is irritating to be stopped and questioned, i am also thankful because it makes you feel safer and more comfortable, which i think is one of the reasons there is more security. Also, there are many random checks at the airport, although i still agree certain races get questioned more often.
ReplyDeleteEvery morning of elementary school would begin with all the students and faculty on the yard to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the Israeli national anthem. September Eleventh did not start this way. Once I arrived at school I was informed that the patriotic rituals would not take place that day and we should all go directly to homeroom classes. There, our shaken teacher informed us that we would be immediately picked up from school and brought home. It was not until I sat with my older sister waiting for our mother to get us, that I realized how grave it really was. There was a girl, a few years older than me, crying in confusion about her father. She told us that planes had crashed into The World Trade Center and that her father was in New York right then. I remember the video of the planes crashing into the towers being replayed countless times that day and my confusion about the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteMany adults classify modern America into two categories: pre and post 9/11. I was only eight years old when the towers were torn down but I still remember the many differences in our country that that date caused. The weeks following the event I noticed the sudden influx of American flags being put up in front of doorways, on cars, and shop windows. Also, the airports became places of angst, nerves, and suspicion. I noticed this when we were dropping my grandmother off at LAX for her flight back to France, and my parents told me that I could no longer go to the gate with her. Post Nine-Eleven was fearful and saddened, but in a sense, also united and patriotic.
--Chanah Haddad
I agree with what Fredel said about America becoming closer together after nine-eleven. It was a difficult time for US citizens and that we responded with sympathy and compassion to one another is very important in the way other countries view us. I also agree that, though America is one of the most secure countries, it did express unfair suspicion and paranoia towards those of middle eastern decent.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest sister has always been a very nervous person and one of her biggest fears is flying. For the entire week before September 11th she could not eat or sleep and got super sick. She kept saying that she had a really bad feeling but there was nothing medically wrong with her. I remember that entire week being really scary and stressful. The morning of September 11th my sister, sam, had finally fell asleep and my mom woke me up around 630 asking me to be extra quiet so that i did not wake sam up. As my parents, my other to siblings, and I were eating breakfast the phone rang. I ran to answer it in fear that it might wake my oldest sister up. I remember picking up the phone and hearing my aunt from New York histerically crying and screaming for me to put my dad on the phone. The next few minutes are all a blur but I remember the tv going on and both my parents breaking down. I didn't understand what was going on and had never heard of terrorists or anything of the sort. I remember watching the plane crash into the second tower and thinking it was some sort of movie clip. Then I remember my dad saying that my uncle had a meeting in that building. I still didn't get what he was saying and kept asking questions but not getting answers. My uncle was meant to be in the World Trade Center that morning but was running a little late for his meeting and got stuck in the traffic that the tragedy had caused. My family was very lucky not to be directly affected by the horrors of 9/11; however, it certainly did impact our lives and is a day I will never forget. Looking back on it now I don't know how much of it I grasped as an eight year old but I do know that it made the topic of violence and hate much more relevant in my life at the time.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Fredel about how 9/11 united Americans, and that there are both good and bad aspects to the "not so random security checks" and so on; however, what stefani said about how harmful stereotyping can be is so true. The last thing we want to do is isolate other Americans. I think that we should be careful of who we blame for the terrorist attacks and make sure that we know it was not an entire religion or race but only a specific terrorist orginization.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chanah when she said that 9/11 also united Americans and created a sense of patriotism. Not only was September 11th a day of fear and hatred, but it was also a time where Americans had to depend upon each other. We witnessed a nation come together, aiding the victims and beginning a collective healing. 9/11 created a closer knit community and brought out national pride in the USA.
ReplyDelete^
ReplyDeleteJason G
On the morning of September 11th, 2001, my family woke up and continued to go through our usual morning activities, no one suspecting anything wrong. When my dad drove my brother and I to school, he dropped me off and had his usual short conversation with the crossing guard. When George, the crossing guard, asked my dad if he had heard about the Twin Towers, he was in shock. He quickly dropped my brother and I off at school without saying another word. Both my parents being native New Yorkers caused my family to be under very high stress for the next few hours. Because I was only eight, I had no idea what the World Trade Centers were let alone the utter horror and catastrophe that was shaping the United States to the place all Americas know it as today. At school, kids were trying to act smart, like they knew what was going on… yeah, right. When I got home my mom sat sobbing in front of the T.V (apparently where she had been all day). Hundred’s of phone calls had been going back and forth between family and friends who called New York City their home, attempting to reach people although most phone lines were down. Although nobody we knew personally had died, my parents acted as if something inside of them was missing, that something never capable of returning. The thing I remember most about the whole situation was watching the news, hour after hour, and the tapes of people trying to fight for their lives, jumping from hundred’s of feet in the air, hoping to survive. It was an image that still haunts me to this day knowing that these innocent people had to end their lives in such a gruesome way. A few years ago my dad was in the “World Trade Center” movie, and he played a cop that died saving people in the first tower. He told me that he had to meet the family of the man who had actually died, as a way of showing patriotism and respect for the cop’s courage and persistence. I was in awe after seeing the movie. Although the haunting image of September 11th is still in every American’s mind, the day brought us all together. For once people’s racial, political and religious differences were put aside and put towards nurturing our fellow Americans, especially the ones less fortunate.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Drew, I too feel so much safer living in an urban city like Los Angeles now that the government has put restrictions on many things. Although the security at most airports are always so serious, it’s their job to make sure something like September 11th doesn’t happen again. I respect everyone for putting their lives on the line to stay patriotic for our country through the highs and the lows. I also agree with everyone’s comments that tend to the fact that September 11th brought everyone together. I think it gave people a chance to forget about the small problems that came up in their day-to-day lives and focus on the facts of life that would affect generations to come.
-Rae Wright
I know that as Americans we have this patriotic sense of togetherness and community within society. And especially after 9/11, we think we have come together more than ever.
ReplyDeleteDespite what everyone on the blog is saying, I feel that the truth is simply that we haven't grown together enough. There was so much trauma dealing with the aftermath of the incident that people assumed the nation had come together so that it would subside quicker. I believe that although we had monuments, memorials, funerals, and other services, it isn't enough to say that we have come together.
Because when we think about really coming together, we assume that everyone is satisfied and safe with one another. This isn't so much the case here in America right now. Everyone is self-secured and tries to act like we are "one" as a nation when in reality we are all separate entities on our way to becoming one. So in a sense it isn't enough to outright say 9/11 brought us together just because another major national terrorist attack hasn't happened since then. We need to really strive as individuals to find a real sense of community within the groups of people and environment around us.
- Noor Fateh, '11
I think, to comment on numerous people's comments, that even though 9/11 did bring some americans together. It is not even close to the pain and suffering it caused so many americans. It also brought prejudice and undeserved racism to many.
ReplyDeleteJosh
yeppp, thats what im talkin bout josh
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Drew's comment, I also like how security was heightened because no matter what the situation is, now America can be prepared in order to prevent another 9/11 happening again. I feel that the government has finally grasped the importance of security and protecting their citizens.
ReplyDelete--Sade
I agree with Josh that it was shocking to see the typically invincible US in such a vulnerable state. Other countries begun to question our hegemony after the 9/11 attacks and it changed other countries view of us as the superpower.
ReplyDelete-Sade T.
September 11th, 2001, it was the second day of school and I was in science class, we were doing a lab about electricity. My dad was on his way downtown to begin rehearsals for a new play, and my mom was cleaning up the kitchen watching the TV. The first tower fell, everyone thought it was an accident and no one should freak out… fortunately my dad had been in a movie about the 1993 WTC attack and knew it wasn’t. You’ve probably never heard of the movie because it wasn’t released, not because it wasn’t good, but because the company was threatened by terrorists, it was released straight to DVD, and if you’re interested, it’s called Path to Paradise. Why did the terrorists care? Maybe because the last line of the movie was the terrorist looking out on the towers saying, “We’ll get them both next time.” Unfortunately, they did.
ReplyDeleteBack to science class, it was only the second day of school so everyone was worried about fitting in, who they had a crush on and if their hair looked good, no one was expecting this. Sometime in the middle of class I see my mom at the door, my first thought was, “Really mom? It’s my first day of school, are you trying to win the award for most embarrassing mother in the world?!!” Then I saw the look on her face, I asked “Is everyone okay? Did Grandma die? What happened?” Grandma was alive, but everyone was not okay. We greeted my brother and Dad outside the building and got in the car, it was then they explained to me we were going to get out of the city to our country house in Connecticut because the city was closed. My parents were one of the last cars to get out. Some of my friends had to stay at school (which was right outside the city in the Bronx) for days, some stayed with friends. When we got to my house, I saw the footage, it was scary. I remembered being there just weeks before, it was scary, sad, and hard to understand. We got back into the city that Friday; I lived on West 71st street, pretty far from the World Trade Center but close enough to have ash on my window and a black sky. It was different, the way people walked, for the first time in my life, the city was quiet. That weekend my friend and I had a bake sale for the Red Cross, we raised a total of 1500 dollars that weekend, it may not be a lot in the grand scheme of things, but we were used to making $7. People cared, everyone was scared, no one knew what to do, but everyone wanted to help. It was an amazing time to be in the city, scary, but compassionate and hopeful. I couldn’t describe what it felt like to have been so close to this, but it changed a lot of people. I’m glad I was there, the city became one unit and you did not want to mess. We were one strong person that had had enough. I was fortunate enough to not have lost anyone in the attacks that day, the city took a big bullet that day, so did America. I never thought about it as an attack against America to be honest, but an attack at us, New York and I didn’t know why. I don’t know how it affected America as a whole, but I know that in my hometown, the big apple, we lost a lot but we survived, maybe I’m optimistic, but I thing we came out stronger and better than ever before.
-- Kathryn
In response to josh about racism and undeserved prejudice, I agree. There was a deli on my corner that i had been going to for years, it was run by three men, happy, funny and always gave me free donuts, they were also arab. After the attacks, their business went down, way down. They were suspected of things they had nothing to do with, investigated even. It wasn't their fault, it was just some peoples ways of reacting with fear. Their deli is gone now, replaced by an AT&T store, I can't help but think how things would have been different if 9/11 hadn't happened. I felt bad, I didn't really understand why it happened that way, but it did. All I can say now is I hope they're doing well and giving donuts to other little girls somewhere else. :)
ReplyDelete--kathryn
Thank you all for your wonderful sharing! I am so moved.
ReplyDeleteI remember that day like it was yesterday – the sadness, the unimaginable grief – I was sure that something had been lost forever. I’m less sure of that now. Many of us have become hardened as a result of 9-11 -- callous towards “others.” And yet out of everything that happened that day what I remember most is the softness. People were kind, quiet, gentle, forgiving – opened in a new way.
I remember driving home from work at New Roads and a woman rear ended me on the road. I simply said “let’s move on – don’t worry about it – it was an accident.” I never got her insurance information and I still have that dent in my car. It is my reminder to myself of how it is possible to be in the world. That was the spirit I felt that day. I will never forget it.
I still remember the people jumping from the buildings and the intense sadness I felt – horror really – I felt like I was both an observer to and a participant in one of the most challenging days of my life. I struggled to make it real and even when I did I doubted what reality meant now after something like this.
Today I can still cry when I see images from that morning. Sadly I still look at planes suspiciously when I think they might be flying low.
Overall, I miss the quality of togetherness I experienced – the quiet on the streets, the candles and the people gathering in lawns and outside buildings to share stories, comfort one another – it reminded me in a simple way how we can be in community. I like to imagine that we don’t require tragedy to feel connected. That's certainly my dream.
Rockenbach